2012 Bride's Choice Award from Wedding Wire

{West Palm Beach,FL} – January 23, 2012 – WeddingWire, the nation's leading wedding Marketplace, is excited to announce Desiree Dawn Events has been selected to receive the prestigious WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2012 for Wedding Planning!

The esteemed annual awards program recognizes the top local wedding vendors from the WeddingWire Network who demonstrate excellence in quality, service, responsiveness and professionalism within the wedding industry. While many industry awards are selected by the organization, Desiree Dawn Events was selected based on its stellar reviews from past newlywed clients.

Desiree Dawn Events is recognized as part of the top five percent of wedding professionals in the WeddingWire local vendor community, comprised of over 200,000 wedding professionals throughout the United States and Canada. The Bride’s Choice Award recognizes the best local wedding vendors across 20 service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers, based on their overall professional achievements throughout the past year.

“WeddingWire is thrilled to honor the success of the top-rated wedding professionals within the WeddingWire Community,” said Timothy Chi, CEO, WeddingWire. “Since the launch of the Bride’s Choice Awards™ program four years ago, thousands of outstanding wedding professionals have been recognized by the bridal community for their supreme service and dedication to the wedding industry. It is with great pleasure that we congratulate Desiree Dawn Events for their continued professionalism and commitment to enriching the wedding planning experience for engaged couples.”

We are happy to announce that Desiree Dawn Events is one of the very best Wedding Planners within the WeddingWire Network, which includes leading wedding planning sites WeddingWire, Project Wedding, Brides.com, Martha Stewart Weddings, and Weddingbee. We would like to thank our past clients for taking the time to review our business on WeddingWire. Thanks to their positive feedback we were able to receive the WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ for 2012.

For more information, please visit our WeddingWire Storefront today at http://www.weddingwire.com/biz/desiree-dawn-events-west-palm-beach/12b3902c011381cd.html.

To learn more about the Bride's Choice Awards™, please visit www.WeddingWire.com.

About WeddingWire, Inc.
WeddingWire™, the nation's leading marketplace serving the $70 billion wedding industry, is the only online wedding planning resource designed to empower both engaged couples and wedding professionals. For engaged couples, WeddingWire offers the ability to search, compare and book over 200,000 reviewed wedding vendors, from wedding venues to wedding photographers. WeddingWire also offers a comprehensive suite of online planning tools for weddings, including wedding websites and wedding checklists, all at no charge. For wedding professionals, WeddingWire is the only all-in-one marketing platform for businesses online and on-the-go. WeddingWire offers one simple solution to build a professional network, improve search visibility, manage social media and reach mobile consumers. Businesses that advertise with WeddingWire appear on WeddingWire.com, ProjectWedding.com and other leading sites, including MarthaStewartWeddings.com (NYSE: MSO), Brides.com and Weddingbee.com.

DDE 2012 Goals & Objectives

I am in the business of weddings - planning, coordinating, designing, & greening to be exact. I am also a 20-something that is savvy enough to understand how social media can promote my business, on a personal level, for free! That said, please like me on facebook & follow me on twitter...oh and read my blog!

With that, I need to update my blog much more frequently...to keep you folks interested. Also, I want to become a member of TWIPS and part of their criteria is to blog, comment on others blogs, and tweet way more frequently than I have done in 2011. If I update my blog weekly, then it's easier for me to have something to tweet & post about.

So, here are my Goals:

1. Create a blog post once per week
2. Tweet once per week
3. Post on facebook 2-4 times per week
4. Become a member of TWIPS
5. Plan some kick @$$ weddings!

And my Objectives:

1. Have a rotating pattern for blog posts to follow
• Real DDE Weddings
• Green/Eco-Chic Discussion
• DIY Project
• Inspiration Board
• Personal/Home Improvement
• &/or Feature Blog Post (from another favorite site/vendor)
2. My tweets will reflect the blog post of the week
3. Facebook posts will reflect blog posts with polls, question of the day, giveaways, etc.
4. Once July comes, I will apply for membership on TWIPS
5. I will dedicate my time to my clients, listening to their desires, inputing where I can, and executing weddings that reflect my bad @$$-ness :)

I would like to encourage all of you to hold me accountable to these goals - they will improve my skills as a wedding planner which will improve the weddings for each of my clients. Thank you for all of your support in 2011. I could never make it in this crazy adventure without my loyal facebook fans, awesome couples, and incredibly supportive family & staff. You all make this dream a reality.

OH! And because I never posted this last week...I have to share it...I think it's just the cutest ode to New Year's Eve!!

Cheers to Twenty-Twelve!!!

Two Years Ago...

My amazing friends over at Anna Elyse Bridesmaids were sweet enough to ask me to submit my wedding photos to the lovely Style Me Pretty blog with the idea of promoting their incredible line of bridesmaids gowns. SMP is a fabulous blog and their readers want the most up-to-date ideas for their wedding, therefore, my two year old memories can now be shared with you all on my very own site! That said, here is my version of what SMP shoulda-woulda-coulda posted, enjoy!

A Wedding Under the Banyan Trees

October 24th, 2009

Desiree & Eric

With two years to reflect on our big day, the saying, "may you look back on your wedding day as the day you loved each other the least" finally begins to make sense.

When we first started planning the wedding, we wanted a small event around 75 guests. We quickly learned that this was impossible as my family alone boasts 65+ and Eric's isn't too far behind. After considering our close friends from high school and my mother's crafty friends, we quickly realized we were going to have a good ol' fashioned big, southern wedding!

Looking back, I cannot imagine not having a single one of them missing.

Some details that stand out from our wedding day would be our love of God, family traditions, good music and the Florida Gators. When we woke up to rainy weather, I can recall reciting 1 Peter 5:7, "cast all of your anxiety on Him because He cares for you" and my big brother texting me "to let go and let God". From that moment on, we did not worry about anything and just trusted that God would get our guests to us safely and that if he wanted us to get married in the sunshine, then He would provide the rays.

By 4 o'clock, the clouds parted and warm sunlight sprinkled through the banyon trees at Dreher Park, just in time. Despite the chalamity that ensued just prior to the ceremony, no chairs for guests until 10 minutes before we were to start, a dear friend was in a car accident on the way to the park (he was fine!), the limo got lost with the entire bridal party & groom, and *gasp*, I couldn't find my spanx! - we still managed to have a beautiful faith-filled vow exchange that included readings by my sorority sisters, a poem by Eric's sisters, and a few "Go Gators!". Eric & I weren't thrilled with the idea of a long aisle and our backs towards our guests, so we had a 'ceremony in the round' where we could see each of them & they could all see us. It felt like a huge hug.

The reception at the National Croquet Center began with guests sipping on spiked Arnold Palmer's served with fried pickles and split pea soup shots, my dad-in-law's favorite. I was able to convince Eric to learn a country line dance for our first dance to Alan Jackson's "Good Time" and it really got the guests in the mood for...well, a good time! Thanks to Sandy James, we chowed down on a traditional thanksgiving feast, my favorite, with all the fixin's; a mashed potato and sweet potato bar, biscuits, turkey, ham & stuffing and we even had southern fried chicken. You were crazy if you left hungry. To top it all off, we had red velvet & carrot cake cupcakes from DD's Cupcake Shoppe and a throwback cookie buffet including Keebler Elves, Oreos, Chips A'Hoy...all our favorites from when we were kids! The night continued with southern rock, lots of Rolling Stones, oldies & it ended with 80's night - an homage to our days at UF. I have booked our entertainer for 3 more events (to date!), Tim Boyd is a reception entertainment master! Our fellow gator-grads surrounded us and swayed to "We are the boys of Ole Florida", a tradition done at every game and Eric did a rousing rendtition of the "Two Bits" cheer.

Some of my favorite memories of the day are when my sorority sisters and I sang to my mother - it was our special time to honor her because she really has been a mom to a lot of them, not just me. My uncle gave us a dinner blessing that still gives me shivers, the Holy Spirit was certainly present with us. And Eric's favorite memory is when the whole night was ending; we had beautiful, cool weather all afternoon and evening, not a raindrop in sight and then, just after the guests had left, the skies opened up and poured down everything that the clouds had been holding in for us. It was remarkable.

I can't even begin to count the handmade items that made our wedding special; my mother made nantucket baskets for each of the bridesmaids, my earrings, and my garter. I fascined hair accessories for each of the 'maids with rosettes from White Aisle and made all of the ceremony programs.

My aunt created all of the embossed table numbers, cookie bags & I made the wishing tree tags.

My dad built the cupcake tower and Eric's mother made her famous cookie pizza that held us over during the day. The groomsmen wore ties made from leftover fabric from the Anna Elyse bridesmaids  dresses and I've never seen my mother more beautiful in her dusty rose Grace gown by the same designer. I wore James Clifford & Sara Gabriel, lace from head to toe. Eric was debonair in his custom, herringbone Brooks Brothers suit and vintage style wingtips from Cole Hahn.

The boutonierres were fascined with vintage fish hooks and most of the flowers were white in honor of croquet tradition. 

If there was advice that I could share with brides & grooms while they plan their wedding, it would be to love the people you hire to pull your day together. I recently just attended the wedding of our photographers, Samantha & Matt of So Many Moments Photography, which proves to you that we really bonded when they filmed our day. I treasure my album that Sam made for me and look through it often. Hire a day of coordinator if you can't afford a full-service wedding planner. There were so many crazy things that went on during our wedding day, but we had no idea until 2 days later when I caught up with my coordinators. It's their job to put out the fires before you even smell smoke. I still keep in touch with Annie & Rikki from Anna Elyse Bridesmaids. Why? Because the values of their company mimic my own and they are the sweetest people to work with; plus they value the importance of a handwritten note. 

It's been two years and I wish so badly that we could get married all over again - I bet we'd increase the guest list, again, this time around!

here's to hitting our 'gold' anniversary...I love you, Bubba!

5 Things That Make Me Smile!

So, it's been a rough day so far...let me explain:

Woke up to several calls, emails & texts from Bank of America stating that there are unusual charges on my Desiree Dawn Events account. No bueno.
Come to find out someone has stolen my wallet which has all of my cards in it plus my oh-so-awesome gift cards to Sephora, Anthropology, Macy's...etc. I was saving them for a...haha..rainy day.

As I am writing this it has started to downpour. Thanks, big man upstairs - your humor is one reason I'm writing this post today!

SO...it's been a rough day so far, as you can see, and because of that fact I have decided to list somethings that make me smile - no matter what. Fake it til you make it, right?

5. I love my chocolate lab, Gator. His energy is infectious and the crinkle on his nose makes me smile every time I see it.

4. I love my 16th ranked Florida Gators! Can't wait to see how we climb after an SEC win this weekend...even if it is over the non-ranked Tennessee Vols! I just love me some good SEC football!

3. I love my family - all us Lemley Girls...we're all really funny and outgoing, caring and understanding, and we know how to have a helluva good time, especially at a country concert tailgate!

2. Lighting a Midsummer's Night candle is one of the most instantaneous things that puts a calm smile back on my face - in fact - I'm lighting mine, right now! mmmm

1. Eric. Today, I love him for many reasons and I can understand why people wish you, "...that years from now you will look back on this day, your wedding day, as the day you loved each other the least." He makes me smile when he tells me I can start Happy Hour at 1 in the afternoon because I'm having a rough day. He makes me smile because he is the funniest guy I know, so funny that his nickname is The Joker. And I love how he can make me smile and not worry about the rest of the world, just with a hug from that tall drink of water. Thanks for being the best husband for me, Bubba.

SO! Here's to you jerky-jerk person who stole my wallet: I believe in Karma and you will get yours - it's already begun because you've wasted my hard earned money at WalMart - jokes on you. Thanks for stealing my money and part of my values. You can empty my account but you can't empty my spirit!

Thundercats are GO!

Fall 2011 Wedding Package Deal!

College Football starts this week....

Our first major hurricane came & went...

And the WPB Green Market starts back up in 6 weeks...

THIS can only mean 1 thing:

FALL is ALMOST here!

which means....

Wedding Season is almost here!!

In honor of this amazing season, Chelsey & I would like to offer a rad deal...

book us both for your Fall 2011 wedding & receive more than $600 off!

Details

• Wedding date must be between Sept. 1st to December 20th in the year 2011, only!(any day of the week is fine)
• You must sign with both Desiree Dawn Events & Chelsey Boatwright Photography to get the discount!
• You must give a $250 deposit to both Desiree & Chelsey - $500 total - at the time a contract is signed. The remainder of your balance can be paid the week of/before your wedding.
• Wedding location must be in Brevard, Indian River, Martin, Palm Beach, Broward, or Miami-Dade Counties! (we welcome bookings outside of these counties but we cannot give the discount...gas is expensive!)

Interested? Just email me at DesireeDawnEvents@gmail.com

Oct. 15 - booked!

Oct. 16 - booked!

Nov. 19 - booked!

Dec. 17 - booked!

Dates are filling up fast - so hurry!!!

We really hope to work with you! xoxo

Desi & Chelsey

Rainy Monday Afternoon

Some pretty exciting things are going on in the world of Desiree Dawn Events and I am feeling exquisitely blessed!

Malachi 3:10 - thanks to my mother for always making me aware of His scripture working in my life.
"Test me in this and see if I will not open the floodgates of Heaven and pour out a blessing that you cannot contain"

Neat Things:

1. Chelsey Boatwright Photography & I have combined forces and are offering an amazing deal to new Fall 2011 clients - stay tuned for that!
2. Along with that deal, we have decided to create a co-company so we can market ourselves as a team...more on that very soon!!
3. And I got a really exciting email today from the lovely Emily over at Southern Weddings - our South Florida Cabo inspiration shoot will be feature...TOMORROW! I cannot wait for y'all to see what Emily has put together!!!

More to come - thanks again to everyone for their support!

Green Weddings on TV!

It is so good to know good people in high places.

Case in point: my dear friend, Emily Pantelides, interviewed me and did a wonderful piece on my business, focusing on "Green Weddings". I was able to bring up very basic ways that couples can incorporate eco-friendly items in their weddings. I was nervous, but Emily really made me look great! Click the link below to check out the spot!

Desiree Dawn Events - Green Wedding Design Television Debut!

I was even able to talk about my good friend Chelsey Boatwright. Not only does she use "rechargable batteries" (duh) but the companys that print her albums use sustainable and eco-friendly printing and shipping techniques.

Since the news peice showed, I recieved a lot of contacts from people who were interested in Green Weddings and other vendors who thought their business would be of interest to me! It's been great exposure  and I couldn't be luckier or happier to know Emily.

This past weekend I hosted a bridal shower and showcased several ways to incorporate "being green" including Emily's business, Good Girl Cookies! The guests certainly enjoyed them and funds were donated to the local animal shelter. I also served one of Celia's cakes (see my previous post Such a Good Day!) and bought all the flowers from our local green market.

Ahhh...Kermit D. Frog had it wrong...it is easy being green :)

Such a good day!

I am thrilled with my successes of today. I feel like I was on the go since 7am. OH WAIT! I was.

Church volunteering from 8a-12p...
Cake Baker vendor meeting from 1-3:30p...
Bride meeting 4:30-6p...
Dinner with Husband who missed me 7-8p. And scene.

I KNOW RIGHT? I am insane and I love it.

So let me break it down for you (quickly bc Im sleepy):

Church was about getting rid of the "Greed Monster" in our lives. The huge house that my friend has...is not that house that I need. My little honeymooners house is all I need and it suits my family of 3 just fine (me, Eric, and Gator..our Lab). So...I am content here.

Then, I met Celia of CakeAHlicious at her home in Boca Raton. I found her by hunting for a solid hour on google, steadfastly determined to find an organic baker in South Florida. I thought being "green" was trendy? WHERE ARE ALL THE GREEN BAKERS?!?!?! (tangent, sorry).

So, Celia.

She was fantastic (as a person) and phenomenal (as a baker). She is from New Zealand, where her mother taught her to bake, and currently is baking her treats from home. I was able to taste a Coconut cake and a Pecan Rum cake....later I realized I drank Malibu Rum in the form of a cake :) score. Her goals are similar to mine in that she wants to have a bakery someday and she wants to promote organic and eco-friendly business practices. love. her.
 


And my meeting with my beach bride, Tara, went lovely. I got to hang out with her and her maid of honor, we shared some ideas, I reminded her of some things on her list, and we both feel more confident with the upcoming wedding. I think her special day is going to be the epitome of Summertime at the Beach...fresh blues, crisp yellows and starfish that never end. I. Love. Florida.

  

Who thinks this bride needs a trash the dress shoot on the beach!?!?! I DO!
 

I hope everyone has an awesome week!

Warm Green Hugs,
Desiree

ps: Props to my June 2010 Bride and her "day of the wedding" beach shoot and the amazing Samantha Yeakle of So Many Moments Photography for capturing it!

Inspired.

I have started, deleted, and re-started this blog: seven. times. I have so many things I'd like to write about. Which brings me to believe that it is a necessity to blog more often.

YES!

     My first inspiration comes from my newest bride, Jessica.  Honestly, when I found out that her reception was at the Winter Park Farmer's Market, I really wanted to help. really. badly. This venue is like an exposed brick blank canvas. It has so much potential! I can see colorful tablecloths, monochromatic milk glass with a variety of summer blooms for her July 23rd fete! And at her request, a display of mason jars filled to brim with her signature cocktail. Mmm!

  07.23.11

J+M

     My second inspiration comes from my 2 beach brides of 2011, Tara and Kelly. Both are struggling with their theme but in different ways. Tara has picked a traditional venue but wants to bring the ocean to her reception decor. Kelly will be married just inches away from the beautiful blue waters of the Florida Keys but is realizing that most beach decor comes in varying shades of white and white. What's a beach lovin' bride to do!? I hope that my ideas can get their wheels rolling again...

    

T+S                                      K+B

           May 7-11                          Earth Day 2011

     And lastly, this inspiration comes from myself. (sigh). I am so excited about what my future holds in the world of weddings! Every week I am making strides towards creating my dream business. I have been making local connections for styled photo shoots (enter Chelsey Boatwright Photography) and potential business partner(s)! I'm meeting vendors that hold steadfast to creating items that are organic. fresh. honest.

     Now, everywhere I look, I find myself browsing for my future desk that will be in my future storefront. I envision a beautiful floor to ceiling window and crate-like shelving that showcases some centerpiece ideas or past photos of me and my brides. I can smell the coffee that I brew each day and the English muffin that I'll toast (with my Green Market "milk jam") in my little kitchenette.

  

Here's to this endeavors future. Here. We. Go!!!

Lots of Green-Lovin',

Desiree Dawn

A rather productive day!

Feeling pretty great about 2011 after a day like today!

During my previous hair appointment at Pyure Salon in Boynton Beach with Nicole, I decided to try a new stylist. Not because I don't love Britney at the Wellington location (I adore her and missed her) but because it is very hard to save the money and do 2 separate appointments at the 2 salon locations...and I needed highlights more than a trim. So, Nicole suggested Jessica, who happened to be the sister of Chelsey Boatwright . My conversation with Jessica began standard, per usual when you meet a new hair-dresser and she's meeting a new client.

J: "What's your daily hair routine?"
D: "I blow it dry or curl it with a curling iron"
J: "What products do you use?"
D: "Aveda and Aussie products bc they don't test on animals". :) etc. etc.

Then things got a little deeper...

J: "I am from Tallahassee"
D: "I went to school in Gainesville. Can we still be friends?" (go. gators.)

And then long story short....

D: "I just started a wedding planning business..."
J: "My sister is a wedding photographer"

So, it took me all of 20 minutes to check out her site and decide that I dig her style. She is fresh and very "organic", simple and timeless...kinda how I'd like to be! So, I contacted her and 37 emails later, we decided to meet and have a wedding vendor date.

Date went well. I didn't bring her flowers, although I thought about it. I had butterflies and got goosebumps twice (once when she said the word "organic" the first time and again when she showed me her proofs album). What can I say? It was a date! :) haha
We went an hour and a half over schedule but it was worth it!

I am pleased to make a new friend in the wedding industry, one that is local and has an eye like mine, and did I mention that she's "ORGANIC"? :) She respects my green-ness and I respect her for that. sweet.

Anyway...looking forward to the many great things that could come from this "vendship" in the future. Here is some of Chelsey's photography:



 


Definately visit her site (link above) and "like" her on facebook.

After my vendship date with Chelsey, I went to visit my ex-wedding planner turned Jewelry-maker friend, Jen. She wanted to pass down all of her wedding related books and magazines and items to me. It was hard to say no. Im sure my husband will be thrilled. ha.

Now I have some pretty amazing books, and I am still in shock because it was too easy to acquire them. score.

I am off to explore the world of prop style-shooting. Can you tell what me and Chelsey talked about today? planning planning... :) or ploting....

Happy Planning!

It's a new dawn, it's a new day, it's a new life!

Hey There!

Happy New Year! I am very excited to announce that Desiree Dawn Events has officially made it through the holiday season. whew!

Some fun updates: I have 7 weddings lined up for 2011...I am very eager to work with my March, April, and May brides...and again my October and November brides. I have officially been inducted into the "South Florida" wedding season: Spring and Fall!

Now for the big news....

I have joined forces with the Palm Beach County Clerk and Comptroller and the National Croquet Center to coordinate "The Sweetheart Deal"  Valentine's Day Wedding! Forty couples will be married in a group ceremony on the beautiful grounds of the Croquet Center by the city's comptroller...FOR FREE! Sandy James Catering will supply hors d'oeurves and champagne for the couples and their 6 guests (each), Lawrence enterntainment will DJ, Heaven and Earth will supply beautiful flowers and bouquets, and Hoffman's Chocolates will provide delicious cupcakes to celebrate!

http://www.mypalmbeachclerk.com/valentinesweddings.aspx

Who better to help coordinate 40 couples big day than Desiree Dawn Events!!?!?! All of my services will be donated *as are all of the services besides photography* and these couples will have an awesome Valentine's Day Wedding for a tiny fraction of the cost.

The comptroller is trying to promote local businesses and give these couples the opportunity to have a beautiful wedding in a tough economy. Doesn't get much more green than that! I cannot wait to give support and green guidance to the brides and grooms and meet some fabulous vendors!

What I am hoping for, is that some of the couples will want to host a larger celebration for more friends and family. If they choose to do so, I will help coordinate that day and discount 25% off of my day-of package. And even if no one has a reception this year, that is 40 couples plus their 6 guests (280 people), that will know of Desiree Dawn Events and they can tell their engaged friends! I'm also happy to meet more vendors and make some in-the-biz connections.Sandy Coto, at the Croquet Center is a joy to work with and we will make a great team, no doubt!

I am energized for what 2011 brings...my goals for the business are to get 15 weddings booked, become a vendor on The Knot and Southern Weddings sites, and to create a marketing pack to provide brides and vendors. Here's to you New Year...may you be my Dream Year!

~Desiree

Props to Rachel Jane Photography!

Finally! A blog of my very own...

Good Afternoon Everyone!

My name is Desiree Dawn and this is my blog to go along with my wedding planning business that I have begun here, in Sunny South Florida. I love my website! I have put a lot of time into it and I am pretty happy with the results, however, all of my marketing buddies have told me that I must stick to a design and not change it.

But what about ALL of my thoughts and ideas?

...And here is where the blog comes in!

I will be sharing ideas and thoughts about wedding design, trends from South Florida, and input on making your big day just a little "green".

Cheers from South Florida!